<ARTICLE> 7
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                            16,708
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          117,732
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                            118,794
<EQUITIES>                                       4,031
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 138,471
<CASH>                                           9,695
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               7,192
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           4,720
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 270,431
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 92,686
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             47,637
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                  1,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            87
<OTHER-SE>                                     103,077
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   270,431
<PREMIUMS>                                      14,791
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              1,933
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                  14
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   5,640
<BENEFITS>                                       7,879
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      1,354
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             9,229
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,916
<INCOME-TAX>                                       943
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,973
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,973
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.33
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                  65,775<F1>
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                 63,575<F1>
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Before reinsurance recoverable.
</FN>